When Fear Finds Us

When those around us fall prey to senseless tragedies and devastating trauma, fear begins to permeate our hearts. The empathetic of us try to put ourselves in the place of those firsthand sufferers. We try to imagine how they felt in order to imagine how we can help them. We play over the scenes broadcast over the airwaves, dissecting and analyzing the situation in an attempt to prevent future horror, only to realize that satan is still at work in this world, that sin is no respecter of persons, and that pain and grief are neither predictable nor preventable. And our courage begins to wane, our feelings of security drain away and hopelessness threatens to join the helplessness in our hearts. We stop sleeping and start crying. We stay indoors, frightened and trembling. Worry, stress and grief become our constant companions. Our minds and hearts are full of thoughts of tragedy and the flood of tears ever present. We become weary from weeping, worn out from worry and overcome by the suffering. Listen to what Holy Scripture says:
Job chapter 11:

• vs. 7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? "
• vs. 8 "They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave--what can you know?"
• vs. 9 "Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea"
• vs. 10 "If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?"
• vs. 11 "Surely he recognizes deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?"
• vs. 13 "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,"
• vs. 14 "If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,"
• vs. 15 "Then you will lift up your face without shame, you will stand firm without fear."
• vs. 17 a "Life will be brighter than the noon day . . . "
• vs. 18 a "You will be secure because there is hope; and you will look about you and take your rest in safety."
• vs. 19 "You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid. . . "

This is such a rich text. Zophar is responding to a long tirade by his suffering friend Job. While the theology of the friends is later condemned by God and penitent sacrifice commanded, Zophar makes some very valid points here. First of all, there is a God and we are not Him. We cannot understand all that has happened or all that will happen. God is in control and our feeble attempts to control the situations, emotions, behaviors of others is simply futile. Only our Creator truly knows our minds. Only He truly understands our hearts. Only He can truly heal and comfort our wounded souls. Secondly, He owns us and whatever He chooses to do with us is His perogative, His privilege, His right. We are not our own---we have been bought with a price and should He choose to allow us to struggle, should He decide a refining fire or a spiritual spanking is in order, He can do so. Thirdly, He sees and knows what is happening. Evil is not hidden from Him. His ear is not dull and His eye is not dim. Evil does not go unnoticed. Satan's devious work is evident to the Father of the Universe. And finally, He offers us security and safety. He offers us peace but--notice what it says, ---give Him your hearts, reach out to your Father, stop sinning and do not let evil dwell where you live.

When we make room in our hearts for Him, He comes to live there, bringing with Him all the peace and security and safety we crave. From that moment on, we are instilled with a new sense of courage and conviction. We can stand tall without shame because we belong to the Almighty God. We are His possession and no gunmen, no threats, no terror, no cunning adversary can stand against us. Once again the sun shines in our lives and in our hearts. Our tears are dried and our hearts can smile again. We begin to sleep again, without nightmares, or bad dreams, without fear. We have hope and in that hope we have security and assurance. We are God's own and in spite of the darkness and ugliness around us, we live in light. We are no longer afraid, our Protector has promised to wrap His arms around us and bring us to a new home where there is no darkness and where ugliness is not welcome. Praise God for the security we have in Him. Praise God for His protection, His comfort and His promise! Praise God for His presence in our lives.

Peace
Neva